Canadian Who Moved His Family To Russia For ‘Traditional Values’ Says He No Longer Recommends It: Permanent Residency Would Require Signing A Defense Ministry Contract

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Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved to Russia with his wife and eight children under a program promoting “traditional values,” says he no longer recommends the move. He says he learned that obtaining permanent residency would require him to sign a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry. Feenstra says he plans to seek another temporary permit when his current one expires, but the family’s longer-term plans are unclear.

Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved his family to Russia under a program aimed at foreigners who share “traditional values,” says he no longer recommends that other foreigners move there after learning that a permanent residence permit would require him to sign a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry. Feenstra has a wife and eight children and currently holds a temporary residence permit, according to Meduza.

Feenstra received a three-year temporary residence permit in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region in early 2025. He then brought his family to the country and began farming. The local outlet Nizhny Novgorod Onlain drew attention to his account in a YouTube video, Meduza reported.

In the video, Feenstra said he had become attached to the place but had not moved to Russia to enter military service. He said he has young children and a farm to care for, and that he would rather “take my chances in Canada” than sign the contract, while also describing life in Canada as risky.

Feenstra said he expects to be able to apply for another temporary residence permit when his current one expires, without signing a Defense Ministry contract. He said his family’s experience had changed their advice to other would-be migrants, citing rules that keep changing and a lack of a clear path forward.

A Residency Path With a Military شرط

The case highlights a gap between the simplified entry route promoted by Russia’s “traditional values” program and the later conditions some migrants may encounter when seeking to settle permanently. Feenstra says the permanent-residency requirement has put him in a choice between signing a military contract and remaining on temporary status.

For other prospective migrants, his account is a personal warning about the difference between receiving temporary permission to live in Russia and qualifying for permanent residence. The report does not establish how often applicants in the program face this situation, but the contract rule applies to foreign men in specified age and fitness categories, including participants in the program.

From Temporary Permit to Permanent Status

Russia launched the “traditional values” immigration program in August 2024. It encourages citizens of countries Russia considers “unfriendly” to move there if they share what the program describes as “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” Its simplified application process includes an exemption from Russian-language exams, according to Meduza.

The temporary permits issued through the scheme do not remove every later immigration requirement. Since November 2025, foreign men aged 18 to 65 who are deemed fit for military service have been required to sign a contract with the Defense Ministry to obtain a permanent residence permit. Meduza reported that people admitted through the values program are not exempt.

“I didn’t come here to sign a contract.”

— Arend Feenstra, in a YouTube video cited by Meduza

Family’s Longer-Term Plans Remain Unknown

Feenstra’s account, as reported by Meduza, does not say whether he has formally applied for permanent residency or received a written decision on an application. It is also unclear when his current temporary permit expires, whether he will secure a further temporary permit, or whether the family might leave Russia.

The report does not provide a response from Russian authorities or explain how the contract rule is applied in individual cases. Feenstra’s experience does not establish that every foreign man in the program must sign a contract; the stated rule concerns men aged 18 to 65 who are deemed fit for military service seeking permanent residence.

Permit Renewal Is the Next Step

Feenstra said he plans to apply for another temporary residence permit after the current one expires, a route he believes will not require a Defense Ministry contract. The outcome of any application has not been reported.

Until more details emerge, it is unclear whether the family will remain in Nizhny Novgorod on temporary status, pursue another route to residency, or return to Canada. Any change to the policy or official clarification of its application could affect other foreign residents seeking permanent status.

Key Questions

Who is Arend Feenstra?

He is a Canadian farmer who moved to Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region with his wife and eight children after receiving a temporary residence permit.

Why does Feenstra say he cannot get permanent residency?

Feenstra says he learned that, as a foreign man covered by the rule, he would need to sign a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry to obtain a permanent residence permit.

What is Russia’s traditional-values immigration program?

Launched in August 2024, it offers a simplified route to temporary residence for people from countries Russia considers “unfriendly” who share what the program calls traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.

Does the contract requirement apply to everyone in the program?

Meduza reported that since November 2025, the requirement applies to foreign men aged 18 to 65 who are deemed fit for military service and seek permanent residency. The report says program participants are not exempt.

What does Feenstra plan to do when his permit expires?

He said he expects to apply for another temporary permit without signing a contract. Whether the family will stay in Russia longer term has not been reported.

Source: rss